Functionalism Flashcards
What are the four core functions in education?
Social solidarity, Specialist skills, Secondary socialisation, Sifting and sorting (role allocation)
Who is the founding father of functionalism?
Durkheim
What did Durkheim develop?
The organic analogy
What is social solidarity?
It is a sense of togetherness where individuals feel that they belong to a community that is bigger than themselves.
What does Durkheim say that school is and why?
He says that school is like a mini society as there is rules to follow and the child has to learn to interact with the other people.
Give any examples of social solidarity? (6)
- shared culture in history lessons
- we all learn about the would wars
- british values
- hyms in assembly
- sports day
- school plays
EVALUATION - What does school fail to pass on?
Fails to pass on shared culture.
EVALUATION- What does rose-tinted mean?
It means to ignore the red flags and some people would argue that functionalism is “rose-tinted”
EVALUATION - What does ethnocentric mean?
Gives priority to white culture over others.
EVALUATION- How can ethnocentrism make EMs feel?
It can make them feel excluded and can divide them from other people.
EVALUATION- What is ethnocentric curriculum?
It is a type of educational curriculum that is based of a certain ethnic group.
EVALUATION - Examples of ethnocentric curriculum? (6)
- only learn about white history
- european languages
- holidays e.g 2 weeks off for Christmas
- food e.g no halal food
- english e.g poems, english authors
- black history month e.g only learnt for 1 week then forgotten
What is specialist skills?
It is when individuals are taught special skills so they can take their place within a highly complex division of labour.
What does division of labour mean?
There are different specialised jobs that involve specific tasks which are performed by specific people.
What skills does education teach? (4)
- communication
- confidence
- critical thinking
- problem solving
Who does the tax go to and what do they do with it?
It goes to the national government and they use the money to keep society going.
EVALUATION - What is the wolf review?
A review of vocational education by the government.
EVALUATION - What did education find that a third of 16-19s do? Which theory supports this view?
They found that they do courses that doesn’t lead to higher education or a good job. The new right would support this view.
EVALUATION- What does NEET mean?
Not in education, employment or training.
What does secondary socialisation mean?
Parson believe that education passes on norms and values of society.
What does meritocracy mean?
We can achieve status based on our own ability and effort.
What does meritocracy do?
It makes sure that each person strives to achieve their full potential e.g beat your target grade.
How might you be encouraged to achieve your full potential at work?
given targets
In what ways could the education system be seen as fair to everyone? (4)
- all students get the opportunity to go as it is free
- qualifications: all can take exams and be rewarded with qualifications
- national curriculum: all have to study the same subjects
- everyone has to meet the same criteria e.g must get an 80% for an A
EVALUATION - What does private school show?
It shows that not everyone has a equal chance to success.
EVALUATION - Who does private school give an advantage to?
Middle class students
EVALUATION - Who says that meritocracy is a myth?
Bowles and Gintis
EVALUATION - What does children of the wealthy get?
They get high qualifications and well rewarded jobs.
EVALUATION - Who does the working class blame when they fail?
They blame themselves rather than the system.
EVALUATION- What is the myth of meritocracy?
It is the idea that we can achieve status based on our ability and effort when in reality it is based on our class background.
EVALUATION - According to the myth of meritocracy, why are poor people poor?
Functionalist would say they lack ability and effort.
What is sifting and sorting?
Davis and Moore says that it sifts and sorts people according to their ability and effort (meritocracy).
How does education sift and sort people?
- students are placed into sets
- the clever students are placed into gifted and talented programmes
What do the more able students gain?
They gain high grades which leads to important jobs e.g doctors, pilots
What do the people with important jobs earn?
They earn a higher status and more money.
What is natural and even desirable in society.
The inequalities in society
Why is inequalities needed?
It acts as an incentive to work hard.
EVALUATION - What three other factors have a significant role in determining achievement?
- class
- gender
- ethnicity
EVALUATION - Why may working class students not go university?
The tuition fees of £9000.
What is the stretch paragraph called?
The Bridge
What is the bridge?
Parsons say that education helps students to make the transition from home to work
What is universalistic standards?
When the same standards apply to everyone.
What is particularistic standards?
When a person is treated as “special” or “unique”
What is ascribed status?
The status we are born into
What is achieved status?
The status gained based on how hard a person has worked
EVALUATION- How is the system failing to help students transition to work?
There is too many young people on benefits
